Kawaki Aoba raised his eyes toward the opposite side and replied loudly, "I'm ready anytime.
"If we fight again, I won't give you another chance to stall."
Baki snorted coldly. "Arrogant brat! We'll see about that!"
Ebizo's steady, forceful voice rang out across the entire border. "The borders between our two villages are once again under a ceasefire! Both sides will withdraw to their defensive lines. Crossing the border or provoking the other side in private is strictly forbidden! Violators will be treated as rogue ninja by both villages!"
On Konoha's side, Yuhi Shinku responded loudly, "Konoha will honor the agreement and strictly abide by the border rules!"
Thus, the border confrontation sparked by the pursuit of a rogue ninja finally came to a complete end.
Neji slowly walked over to the two of them and said softly, "Sunagakure has begun withdrawing. The situation has completely stabilized. We can return to the village now."
Yuhi Shinku nodded. "Good. Everyone, return.
"This border mission has been successfully completed. We prevented the intelligence leak, and when we return, I will truthfully report the merits of you two."
Kawaki Aoba said, "There is no need to make a special report, Sensei. Completing missions is a shinobi's duty."
Neji said flatly, "Merit deserves reward. There is no need for humility.
"Your perception and combat strength played a decisive role in this mission. You deserve the greatest credit."
Kawaki Aoba smiled faintly and no longer declined. "In that case, I'll follow Sensei's arrangements."
The three of them did not linger. They turned and sped toward Konoha, their feet kicking across grass and dust as their figures moved swiftly as the wind, gradually vanishing at the edge of the border.
They raced onward without speaking. Though they had relaxed somewhat, all three still maintained the basic